Loss of Control in Flight · NTSB WPR15LA092
ALEXANDER RV-7 — Seabeck, WA
| Date | January 26, 2015 |
| Location | Seabeck, WA |
| Aircraft | ALEXANDER RV-7 (amateur-built) |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Maneuvering Loss of control in flight |
| Pilot age | 65 |
| Pilot total time | 16,126 hrs · High time |
| Time in type | 97 hrs |
| Fatalities | 1 |
Probable cause
NTSB findings
- Not determined-Not determined-(general)-(general)-Unknown/Not determined - C
What happened
A witness located near the accident site reported observing an airplane "spinning out of control" as it descended toward the water and breaking apart as it descended out of sight behind a stand of trees. Some wreckage debris consistent with the accident airplane was found floating on the water's surface; however, the majority of the wreckage was not located. Review of recorded radar data showed the airplane departing and then climbing to cruise altitude. The data then showed the airplane descend and climb twice. The last recorded radar target was located at 7,000 ft about 1 mile southwest of the recovered debris. The reason for the loss of control could not be determined because of the limited amount of wreckage that was recovered.